The new EU project CAP4Access was started with a kick-off meeting at University College London on Jan. 9. and 10. 2014.
The objective of CAP4Access is to develop and pilot-test methods and tools for collectively gathering and sharing spatial information for improving accessibility. The aim is to exploit the power of online maps and mobile devices for fostering awareness of barriers for individuals with limited mobility and for removing such barriers. CAP4Access helps integrating disabled communities into society. The project will develop tools and methods for (a) tagging, describing and discussing locations and routes within the built environment according to their accessibility; (b) visualising the data in new ways; (c) route planning and navigation; (d) creating awareness and preparing effective measures at local level for eliminating barriers. In addition to the GIScience Resarch Group of Heidelberg University which builds on top of ealier work like OpenStreetMap-based http://wheelchairrouting.uni-hd.de (rollstuhlrouting.de) partners include the Sozialhelden.de with their WheelMap.org as well as researchers from Fraunhofer Bonn, UCL / Mapping for Change, CSI Vienna, University of Valencia, the coordinating company Empirica, as well as the city of Elche.
Also Heidelberg and the Metropole Region Rhein-Neckar is one of the seleted test sites.